The new year brings new honors for two MSU freshmen.

After being selected as second-team Freshman All-Americans by The Sporting News last month, offensive guard William Whitticker and linebacker Ronald Stanley made the Football News Freshman All-America teams.

Whitticker received first-team honors after starting 11 of 12 games this season. The 6-foot-6, 299 pound redshirt-freshman posted 63 pancakes, a move that plants a defenseman on his back, which ranked third on the team.

“I play hard and worked to get some type of honors,” Whitticker said.

Whitticker improved as the season progressed, especially in pass protection. He did not allow a sack in the last 5 games of the season.

Stanley received second-team honors, and finished the season with 43 tackles (22 solos) and two forced fumbles, including one in the Spartans’ bowl victory over Fresno State. In two different games, he made seven stops, which was a season-high.

Summer workouts and meetings with the coaches to learn the defensive scheme were the key to his season Stanley said.

MSU football head coach Bobby Williams praised the freshmen in a written statement calling the achievement a great honor.

The MSU baseball team announced the hiring of new assistant coach Joe Fletcher Monday.

Fletcher has 10 years of collegiate coaching experience and has spent the past three years at Jacksonville University. While with the Dolphins, he helped lead the team to two NCAA regional appearances in 1999 and 2001. Fletcher spent seven years at Saint Joseph’s College in Indiana before he was with Jacksonville.

His 10 years of college experience and successful background were the main factors why he was chosen, said Ted Mahan, MSU baseball head coach.

Fletcher will be in control of the pitching staff.

“I hope to give some intensity to the pitchers and upgrade strength immediately,” Fletcher said.